Sealants

Dental sealants are a popular preventative dentistry option, especially for younger patients.

An Overview

Dental sealants help prevent cavities from developing in the grooves and ridges of back teeth that are sometimes hard to brush effectively. A dental sealant is essentially a clear coating that is painted over the teeth. It seals the molars and keeps out unwanted food and bacteria.

What are sealants, and how are they used?

Too often, food becomes trapped inside the deep ridges of your teeth. These areas can be difficult to clean with a normal toothbrush and can even be hard to see during a regular dental exam. Sealants are an extremely thin coating of plastic that is applied to the chewing surfaces of your molars or back teeth. This seals out any unwanted food and bacteria and, in turn, assists in the prevention of cavities.

Why are sealants effective?

By preventing food and plaque from becoming stuck in your teeth, the risk of developing cavities is significantly reduced. With sealants, you will stop tooth decay at the source and consequently experience fewer cavities.

Typically, sealants last for five to ten years, but we will want to monitor them during your regularly scheduled dental examinations.

Who is a candidate for sealants?

Sealants are most commonly performed on children whose brushing habits are not quite where they need to be. Adults susceptible to tooth decay may also be recommended for sealants.

How are sealants applied?

Sealants are painted onto your back teeth, and a blue light is used to harden them. The entire process only takes a few minutes.

Interested in dental sealants?

To get more information about sealants and how they can be used to prevent tooth decay by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Custer, give us a call at 419-445-8176 or visit our Appointment Request page.